Book review by Chance Norton

Epic

by Conor Kostick

***Stars

This book is an easy, quick read even if you don’t particularly enjoy the subject, like I didn’t. The book is based around a young man named Eric and his friends in a world that is completely pacifist with the exception of an in depth video game that doubles as this world’s form of government. If any act of violence, even as simple as a slap, the offender could be banished from their society. The people must use the game as a form of bringing their debates before the government for review. They also need the game because the currency for the entire world is based on the currency in the game, for example 1000 dollars in the game can be used to buy a tractor for real life. All in all this is a book that is completely unbelievable from almost every standpoint. EVERY citizen uses their extra time on this game, even if they could be in their gardens making more food, which is most often scarce, they get on the game. Adults, Grandfathers, and everyone else down to around 12 years old plays this game.

The society is NOT workable and I couldn’t stand to read about a situation like that. The reason I gave the book three stars is because it was short and easy so I could be a book project overnight, because the themes are easy to pick out, and because the life in the game (without people controlling the characters) would have been an okay story by itself. Overall this is a book written by someone who makes video games and is addicted to games like World of Warcraft. So maybe its just not my thing.

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

**** stars

Dangerous liaisons, blackmail and murder.....

This coming-of-age story is set in the time period post WWII. With her stepfather Joe Spooner recently returned from the war, Evie and her beautiful mother, Beverly, set off with him on a grand vacation trip to a nearly deserted Palm Beach, Florida. The hotel is sparsely occupied and the family meets others who are staying there during this time. One of the other guests is a man named Peter; an old military buddy of Joe's who seems to have followed the family to this beach town. There seems to be some issue between the two of them, setting up the tension and conflict.

Peter is handsome, young and charming -- and both of the Spooner women are apparently entranced by him. Evie, age 15, has a huge crush on him and is eager to grow up and experience true love. Peter takes the two on drives and to the movies, spending time with them while Joe is working on putting together a business deal with another hotel occupant he met. Relationships between the hotel guests develop, but there are secrets and hidden agendas among them.

One day, Beverly, Joe and Peter set off on a fishing trip that turns deadly - only two of them return in the aftermath of a hurricane. Soon it becomes obvious to Evie that she has been lied to, repeatedly and completely by those she has loved.

Who is telling the lies and why? Who can she trust? I liked this book although I have reservations because of the way it ended.

Denise Crawford

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison....

**** stars -- This one is more than "fair"......

I really enjoyed this lighthearted tale of a mixed up high school girl who isn't quite sure of what she wants in a boyfriend although she's dating the really hot senior, Hunter. Savannah's also not quite sure of who she is and what is important in life. When her smart sister Jane steals her boyfriend, and she's really down in the dumps, an inept "fair" godmother named Chrissy appears to grant Savannah three wishes. Unfortunately, Chrissy hasn't done so well in fairy school and is using this as an extra credit project. Mistakenly sent back to the Middle Ages, Savannah endures trials and tribulations, first becoming Cinderella and then Snow White, as she attempts to find her prince -- and a prom date.

This book is funny and sweet. I think teen girls will really enjoy it. There are spells galore, dragons and royalty, balls and feasts. Just as in a fairy tale and as predictable, there's no sex, alcohol or drug use, etc. (other than potions and poisons) and has a great ending!

Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez (#2 in series)

*** stars

Bailey School Kids for the teen.......

The minute I opened this book I was transported back to the days when I first was reading The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids (Volume 1) which probably has about 50 titles in the series right now. Those books were about kids living in a town where all sorts of characters were imagined to be anything from werewolves to vampires to other various ghosts, goblins and creatures. This book is very much like that series, but for the pre-teen or early teen girl.

This is the second book in the series, and while I admit I haven't read the first, I think I got the concept in this one. It's a cute story about 3 sisters living in a town with their widowed mother. The sisters have powers that range from psychic abilities to telekinesis, and the mother works with the police chief. Without giving spoilers, most of the characters in the book have some sort of paranormal ability or are shifters or vampires or werewolves, etc. This story of a murder and a strange boy in town should appeal to any teens who enjoy a mystery based on a presumption that being in a "dead state of mind" is normal! The kids go to high school, have prom, and engaged in all sorts of typical teen behavior.

Nothing remarkable. Quick read.
Titles in series:
#1 Dead is the New Black Dead Is the New Black (Dead)
#2 Dead is a State of Mind (this book) Dead Is a State of Mind (Dead Is)
#3 Dead is so Last Year Dead Is So Last Year